3/11/23
15 TAM The Hillsborough Stakes (GII)
$225.000 4yo&UP F&M 1 1/8m Turf 122lbs +penalties
We stay here in Oldsmar and look at a field of six ladies set to go a mile and an eighth on the weeds in The Hillsborough Stakes (GII). I’m taking Demanding Commander in this one… I liked that run at GP in the Pegasus F&M Turf (GIII) and it was a salty field. She should get after it today. Zalinda is a classy mare and ran well on the main track at OP, but she’s a turf monster and I think she will be happy to see the green stuff, here today.
Here’s The Field –
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On Solid Ground | Oquinn Farm | Morales P | 122 | 5/1 |
Three wins in a row… and then ’23 happened. Last of ten in the Endeavor BC (GIII), over this course, last out and I just can’t figure it out. I want to think that it was a bounce, and she will return to form, but… it was just a bad bad race. I’d look for a return to form.
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Mon Dieu | Mo Mentum Farm | Velazquez J R | 122 | 9/2 |
Looked good in her ’23 debut rolling to take the La Prevoyante Hcp (GIII) at GP at the marathon distance… and that was after running four in a five-furlong sprint where she tired in the late going. This one confuses me to no end, that’s for sure, but she can run… six wins in fourteen starts proves that.
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Demanding Commander | Hippyheart | Centeno D E | 122 | 7/2 |
She won four of seven last season and was fourth in her seasonal debut, the Pegasus FM Turf (GIII) where she showed an even form. Could this be a bit softer and a place for her to score the victory? I think so… she’s my choice.
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Swam Pass | TwinTowersRacing | Saez L | 122 | 6/1 |
She has more wins this year than last, getting the job done vs. OptAlw types on the SA sod, and she did it in wire-to-wire fashion. This is a step up, but maybe the barn found something in that win and they are ready to move on to bigger pots… sharp barn, so watch her.
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Zalinda | Threshold | Gallardo A A | 122 | 4/1 |
Classy mare comes back to the grass after a fourth in the Bayakoa (GIII) at OP. I think she should welcome the move back to the grass and I’d look for her to run big today. She only had one-win last season but was on the board in six other races, so she knows how to fetch a check.
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Dauphin Island Dog | Two Hearts One Love | Ferrer J C | 122 | 7/1 |
Sold after that second at GG on the main track… and all but one of her races have been dirt efforts, so this is an interesting move, back to the grass vs. big horses. They must like those am turf gallops and are ready to strike.
COZMAN 3 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 4
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
